Hummer – The ‘Budweiser and Butter’ EP.
Hummer – Warrington, England, United Kingdom.
(Cover) Photo Credit: Scott Bradley – Click Here.
For our previous work on the band – Click Here.
Hummer are one of those bands who are very switched on. They know their vices, they are aware of their surroundings and it really very well shows through their mature (for the most part) gruff, gritty and melodic Punk-Rock. They like to partake in a good old joke as much as they do a socio-political rant or observation and often, as is the done thing in UK Punk, do so simultaneously while they also prove that the word “melodic” really shouldn’t be as shunned as it often is within the contemporary Punk scene.
‘Daises’ was perhaps the best choice for an opener on this second release, it’s notably one of the best of the release and its also up-tempo, aggressive and relatable as the band sing of slogging it through life and of a life burning the candle at both ends just to make it all worth while. – ‘I can rest all I want when I’m pushing up daises’.
Now they have your attention, the band lead onto their eponymous second track with ‘Budweiser and Butter’. Hummer follow a joyfully 90’s melodic Punk line here beginning to differ from Work.Home.Bed and its harder line. Even by the second track it goes without saying how Budweiser and Butter is very much everyday life put to a pen and paper featuring Punk-Rock rather than a full-blown socio-political rant and that is just as “Punk”, real life, you know the one.
‘Turpentine’ would be the love child of the dual-vocal interplay of The Lawrence Arms crossed with melodic guitars of Pulley if they had been born in the band’s home of Warrington. The more melodic side to Hummer is only accentuated by this dual sing-a-long vocal interplay and not only does it really suit them but brings the heartfelt lyricisms to the forefront.
Appreciators of Hot Water Music or Leatherface would do well to tune-in to Hummer and with the relentless and again oh-so relatable charge of ‘Workahol’ with its classic rhythms and driven melodies. The band’s harsh vs. melodic vocals battle each-other throughout as they utter a harsh truth. – ‘I wish I could live without workahol’.
‘This Won’t End Well For You’ almost rivals ‘Workahol’ in its guitar work in places as it cuts the pace for a track easily applicable to mid-career Hot Water Music but overall standing as the “good” track of a great release thus far. ‘This Won’t End Well For You’ similarly to the entirety of the EP is really very strong lyrically as it leads onto a track equally so in, ‘Stone Cold Wasted’.
This sixth track is plied with 90’s Pop-Punk sensibilities and a near perfect example of characteristic tinny rumbling bass from back in said day. ‘Stone Cold Wasted’ is a loneliness anthem that is very much preaching another mantra. It is ok to be as independent as much as is to be captain sociable and it’s also not a sin to be on you’re own you know.
The last two numbers of the EP I will leave to you. Hummer have delivered a release that couldn’t be anymore honest, quotable or relatable even if it read minds, which is something it is quite worryingly and simultaneously wonderfully nigh-on able to do even without such power.
Budweiser and Butter themselves are staples for many while this record is an unambiguous staple for the contemporary Punk scene and is out now via Horn & Hoof Records.
Find Them:
- Social Media/Updates: Facebook, Twitter.
- Music: bandcamp, Google Play, Spotify, iTunes/Apple Music.
- Horn & Hoof Records: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, SoundCloud, bandcamp, Official Website.
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